Data spotlight: What are the most common allergies troubling Britons?

Data spotlight: What are the most common allergies troubling Britons?

Lesley Simeon - August 23rd, 2024

In this piece, we’re exploring YouGov data to see what allergies leaves Britons itching, sneezing, scratching and more.

According to data from YouGov Profiles, which covers demographic, psychographic, attitudinal and behavioural consumer metrics, 46% of Brits say they do not have any allergies or skin conditions.

Of those who are allergic, more than a quarter of Brits (27%) have pollen allergy (like hayfever).

Less than one in five (17%) have skin conditions like eczema or dermatitis, while one in ten - suffer from drug allergies (10%) closely followed by food allergies (9%).

Looking at a demographic split, data shows more women than men have reported having allergies and skin conditions.

Pollen allergy is the top condition bothering both men (24%) and women (29%) in Great Britain.

The gap between the two groups is the most significant when it comes to skin conditions like eczema or dermatitis (14% men, 21% women), drug allergies (6% men, 13% women) and prickly heat/heat rash (3% men, 8% women).

As for medication buying habits, when asked whether they buy prescription of over-the-counter drugs online or offline, Britons who have allergies or skin conditions are more likely than the general population (36% vs. 33%) to have bought medicines in-store.

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Methodology: YouGov Profiles is based on continuously collected data and rolling surveys, rather than from a single limited questionnaire. Profiles data for Great Britain is nationally representative of the online population and weighted by age, gender, education, region, and race. Learn more about Profiles. 
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